In accordance with the Minor Allocation Regulations, students must demonstrate required entry-level competencies through an aptitude assessment: 

• A well-grounded, basic conducting technique 
• A singing technique that can be applied in appropriate contexts, demonstrating a skillful understanding of working with choral voices 
• Confident keyboard skills  
• Excellent interpersonal skills  

Students who are enrolled in the Master of Arts in Music Performance, Major in Choral Conducting and in the Master of Arts in Specialized Music Performance, Major in Choral Conducting are not required to undergo an aptitude assessment. They have already demonstrated that they possess the required competencies through their admission to their degree programme. 

Students who have graduated from the Bachelor of Music, Major in Choral Conducting are not required to undergo an aptitude assessment. They have already demonstrated that they possess the required competencies through their admission to their degree programme.

The aptitude test consists of an examination of the main subject skills and a short interview about motivation and career goals as well as the orientation of possible internship modules. It will be done at ZHdK by the lecturers of the Choral Conducting Major and lasts approx. 15 minutes. 

Main subject skills

Conducting 

• Starting and conducting a four-part choral movement of the candidates’ choice (bring two copies of the sheet music)
• Movement and conducting exercises prima vista

Singing 

• Performance of a Lied or an aria in German (please bring two copies of the sheet music; accompaniment will be provided) 
• Prima vista singing of choral parts

Piano playing 

• Performance of a piano piece of the candidates’ choice (e.g. Bach: 3-part inventions, sonata movement by Mozart or Beethoven)
• Score playing: prima vista playing of choral scores up to four systems (SATB)

Interview about the motivation for study, career goals, ideas about possible internships, German language skills, etc. 
 

Aptitude Assessment Criteria

The following criteria are used to assess whether students possess the entry-level competencies in accordance with the Minor Allocation Regulations and the Degree Programme Regulations:  

• Specific professional competence (in the field of choral conducting)
• Independence
• Reflective ability and self-assessment
• Communication skills and social competence